Folding box forming machine



Oct. 2, 195] w METTLER 2,570,145

FOLDING BOX FORMING MACHINE Filed July 13, 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 9 2 INVENTOR.

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FOLDING BOX FORMING MACHINE Filed July 13, 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig. 6

IN V EN TOR.

ROLL/N w METTLER AUSTIN WlkHE'l-M&CARL$0N kin ATTORNEYS Oct. 2, 1951 R. w. METTLER FOLDING BOX FORMING MACHINE Filed July 15. 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig. 9

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IN VEN TOR.

ROLLJN w M ETTLER BY AUSTIN, WILHELMkCARLSON ATTORNEY-5 Oct. 2, R w ME T v FOLDING BOX FORMING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed July 13, 1949 INVENTOR.

ROLL-IN w- ME'T'FLER BY AUSTIN, Wll-HE LMCARLSON luvl ATTORN'E YJ 1951 R. w. METTLER FOLDING BOX FORMING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed July 15, 1949 n R E w u 3 1mm I E 2 N H 2 H N w w U NI MW 0 v 5 u R u n A u m M i w u Fig. 2]

Oct. 2, 1951 R. w. METTLER FOLDING BOX FORMING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed July 13. 1949 MN E E INVENTOR. ROLL/N w. METFLER BY AUSTIN, wlLHsLmacAnLsolv "7. W 4,.M

Patented Oct. 2, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOLDING BOX FORMING MACHINE Application July 13, 1949, Serial No. 104,432

6 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements inautomatic machines for setting up folding boxes from fiat box blanks and has particular application to machines for setting up hinge-cover boxes.

Hinge-cover boxes require very precise assem bly of the body and cover portions of the box, since the accurate fit of the cover depends on the accuracy with which the box body and the box cover are formed. This applies particularly to hinge-cover boxes of the reclosable type having automatic means for maintaining the box cover in closed position. Such locking means commonly include a pair of locking elements on the box cover and on the box body, respectively, one of these elements generally being a hinged flap having an abutment edge, the other element being an edge of a glued-down flap capable of engaging the abutment edge of the hinged flap in edge-to-edge position. The locking elements permit opening of the cover by application of a certain amount of force which causes flexing of the lock flap within the limits of resiliency. Upon reclosing f the cover, the locking elements automatically snap into engagement.

The permissible tolerances in the box dimensions of such reclosable hinge-cover boxes are small, and it is therefore essential to have a machine capable of forming both the box body and the box cover with great and constant accuracy, if waste is to be avoided.

It is manifest that in machines of this type the timing of the various box forming elements is critical and that even slight mistiming or maladjustment results in a misshapen box. Such mistiming or maladjustment may be the result of natural wear of parts, or more frequently it may be the result of accidental jamming of blanks in the machine. If, after the clearing up of a jam, it is discovered that the adjustment of the machine was disturbed, a considerable number of blanks will have passed through or into th machine, all of which are irregular in shape and must be discarded.

The present invention eliminates such waste and disturbance by providing mechanism for squaring the blanks and associated mechanism for forming the box cover, the mechanisms being entirely independent of the rate of travel, or the position of any particular elements on the blank carrying conveyor with respect to fixed or independently operated and timed members. More particularly, the conveyor assembly which moves the box blanks through the machine is so constructed that it accurately squares the 2 blanks and forms the covers by means of self contained mechanism, independent of the rate of advance of the conveyor, and independent of the operation of 'the feedin'g mechanism which feeds blanks into the machine.

In lin with preferredpractice, accordingto the present invention, a specific cover forming mechanism is associated and combined with a specific box body forming mechanism, and all of the critical elements of these mechanisms are self contained within the conveyor or assembly and are actuated so'that formation of the box cover and the box body proceeds substantially simultaneously,

The various objects, features, and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the detailed description which follows accompanied by drawings showing, for the purpose of illustration, the essential portion of a box'machine embodying the invention. t The invention also consists in certain new and original'features of construction and combination of elements hereinafter set forth and claimed.

Although the characteristic features of the invention which are believed to be novel will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, its objects and advantages, and the manner in which it may be carried out may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part of it in which:

Figure 1 is a flat, cut and scored blank of a reclosable hinge-cover box, the blank being shown in plan view, asit appears after, cutting from a larger sheet of paperboard;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the blank of Figure 1 after initial folding and gluing operations resulting in a tubular flatcollapsed blank ready for feeding into a box forming machine;

Figure 3 is a perspective view, partly in ,section, of the completed hinge cover box made from the blank of Figure 2;

Figure 4 i a perspective view of that portion of a box forming machine which comprises the blank magazine and the beginning of the conveyor which carries the blank through the machine;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the machine portion shown in Figure 4 viewed at a different angle and shown at a slightly advanced phase of operation; s

Figure 6 is an elevational view of certain elements of the machine portion shown in Figures 4 and 5;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a further portion of the box machine for sealing the bottom end of the box;

Figure 8 i a detailed view of a portion of the mechanism shown in Figure 7 at a slightly advanced stage of operation;

Figures'9 through *16 are "diagrammatic illustrationsof successivesteps in sealing the 'bottom end of the box;

Figure 17 is a side view of the sealed, box end shown in Figure 16;

Fi ure 18 is a perspective view "of "the portion of the machine for pre-folding-thacoveripanels and fla s and applying i'adhesiveithereto;

Figure 19 is a side view df twoeover shapin'g forms at successive stages of operation;

Fi ure 20 is a perspective view of "that portion of the machine whichincludes the coversshapin'g forms of Figure 19;

Figure :21 is :a plan viewof the cover and-box :bodv shaping--=units;carried by-the conveyor-assembly;

:Fignre22is aside view;-partly insection of:the mechanism sho n in Figre--21,-the section being :taken: on line 2 2-22 of Figure v21 after move *ment of theressure pad I42 intoblank-engaging position: and

Fi nre '23 is a diagrammatic :perspective view of the drive"and conveyonmechanism of the machine.

In1tl'i'e1 following description and in1the claims, various details. will be "identified by s ecific names for convenience. The names, however,

are intended" to :tbe :as :generic in their applica- 'tion'as the' 'artwilltpermit. Correspondin reference characters 1 refer to 'ieorr'esponding pa'rts finTthe severalfigures'of the drawin'gs.

In the drawin s i accompanying, =and forming partpf, this specification, ce'rtain s ecific disclosure of -the. invention is made for i the purpose of J explanation of -broa'deras'pects -'o'f'-'-the invention. but it is understood that the' details' may be modified in various respects without departure 'from the broad principles or the invention and that' the invention may -b'e-applied to'-"structures "other t an the ones-shown.

The blank A shown in Figure 1 "comprises side Wall anels l I312, I 3'andl land "a' terminalglue "lap l h'ingedlyconnected "along side fold lines 16,11, I8 and 19. BottfniriTflaDS.ZllLaridZl"are hingedly connected to the sidewall' panels 12 and l 4. respectively, along a" bottom "fo'ldline Z2, and bottom panelsf23- and 21 a're'ihinge'dly connected to'the side wall panels [I and l'2ialong the same fold line-22.

"The reclosable hinge-cover structure .comprises a main cover panel 25 hingedly connected to the side wall ;pane1 |l along a vcoverioldline 26. A cover-frontpanel 21 is hinged toithamain cover panel alongatop fold line28, and cover is foldable backnuponithe si'dewwalllpanel l ii "and its terminal edge 42 is adapted to engage the locking edge 39 of the abutment flap 31 in edgeto-edge relation in the finished carton for the purpose of maintaining the cover locked.

The blank A is shown in the form in which it is cut from a large sheet or roll of foldable stock.

5 It is ready for a preliminary folding and gluing operation which converts the fiat blank into a tubular structure ready :for setting up into hollllow boxiorm on an automatic tboxforming'machine.

The blank A is converted into a tubular structure by applying adhesive to the glue lap i5 followed by-folding of the blank at the fold lines 16 .and L8. This brings the glue lap I 5 into adhesive engagementwith the side wall panel 5 i and brings the side walhpanels I2 and 13 into face-to-face contact with the side wall panels H and 14, re-

' *spectively. "Likewise, adhesive is applied to the labutment flap 3i and the flap is folded over and adhered to the cover front panel 21. The rezoasulting tubular blank A is shown in Figure 2. fItisread-y-ior setting up into hollow boxform.

Collapsed fiattubular blankslA' maybe storied.

. and shipped in flat condition'requiring a minimum of space. They are immediately available .forsetting up into hollow box form on automatic .machinery.

vAn understanding of the construction-.andoperation .of the automatic box forming machine about tobe described will'be facilitated by a brief consideration ofthe construction of the finished box A" shownl'inFigure'iS. The box has a squared body portion comprising the Wallpanels H, [2,

vl'3 and M, of which two are'visible in'FigureB.

' The bottom of the box-is" formed by in'foldinglof 35 "the bottom flaps 20 and'Zl and by folding thereover the'bottom panels 23 and 2.4, the flaps and panels being adhesively secured'to one another. "The hinge cover comprises" the main coveripanel L25 towhich the glue flaps "33 and "3'4fareaadhe- 40 .s'ivlysecured, flap 34 being visible atth'e cut- .away portion of the illustratedbox. The.cov:er IfroritpanelZ'l with its abutmentlflapti overlies itheilo'ck .flap 3!] onthe' top portion of the wall panel I3; the lock'flap 30 being downfolded toengage theabutment flap 31 with its free edge.

Thelhinge coverlis opened by. swinging. it. about its hinge lineiZS against. the resistanceof the lock .-fiap134. The. lock flap,v together with the upper .portion of the wall panel-13, resilientlyifiexes .dur-

'5 ing the disengagement .andreturnsimmediately her-54 with whichan. upright end member or lug --55.is:integral. .Thebottom member (Bland-the end member 55 .form an.angle .of9.0 degrees. be-

etween-them-atiii and are. securedito special links 5'! =01 'the conveyor chain .45 having :upward .ex-

tensions- 58. In. alsimilar. manner, .the bottom lmember 5 3 .is connected to the other chain Adar-id Lthus travels with the conveyor l relatively to .the base-4.3. I

A tiltable end.member:59- is hingedly connected t0 the bottom member 54 atlifi and'is'free to tilt relatively to the bottommember 54 if the chain permits it to do so. The end member 59 has a normally upright portion or lug 6| and a normally horizontal portion 62 extending at right angles to the portion 6 I. The horizontal portion 62 carries wear resistant abutments 63 adapted to engage links of the conveyor chains 44 and '45. Only the abutments 63 cooperating with the chain 45 are visible in Figure 6. The movable end member 59 carries a pressure plate 64 mounted on a pair of studs 65 slidable in the upright portion GI and biased towards the end member 55 by compression springs 66. Nuts 61 permit adjustment of th spacing between the pressure plate 64 and the end member 55. The spacing is made equal to the outside width of the box to be set up, that is the distance between the side walls I2 and I4 measured at the outside of the box.

A projection 68 extends from the upright portion 6| towards the end member 55. It is spaced from the bottom member 54 a distance equal to the depth of the box, that is the distance between the walls II and I3 measured at the outside of the box. The projection serves to grasp a flat blank and urge it towards the corner 56, thereby expanding the blank under the force exerted upon it.

Asthe box forming cage 53 passes over a curved portion of the conveyor path, for example, over the wheels 49 and 52, the tiltable end member 59 tilts back and opens the cage. In the position'illustrated in Figure 6, one of the two box forming cages is open for insertion of a flat collapsed blank fed into it from a magazine 59 by a feed conveyor 19.

The feed conveyor is composed of two endless chains 'II and I2 trained over rollers I3, I4, I and I6, 17, I8, respectively, and carries feed lugs 19. specially shaped guide rails 89 and BI determine the path of the upper flight of the conveyor chains to bring the lugs I9 into proper position to engage the lowermost blank in the magazine 69 and withdraw it towards the conveyor 44 carrying the box forming cages 53. The points at which the lugs I9 engage the blank A are indicated in Figure 2.

The blank A travels between vertical guide rails 99 and 8| and moves into an open box forming cage. The feed conveyor I9 disengages from the blank as its lugs withdraw downwardly when the feed conveyor passes over the rollers I3 and I6 (Figure 23).

The blank is then grasped by the projection 68 of the tiltable end member 59, as the end member slowly moves into upright position. The flat box blank is thus held at one edge by the pressure plate 64 and the projection 68 and is held at its opposite edge by the bottom and end members 54, 55 at the corner 56. The force exerted on the blank A causes it to open up into square shape. Figure 5 shows one blank in the process of squaring and a second blank fully erected. The cage 53, during its travel alon the straight 'portion of the conveyor 44, maintains the blank accurately squared for performance of the bot- .tom closing and sealing operations which will ing bottom flap 2I then comes within the reach of the stationary sweep and is maintained in infolded position while the kicker returns to its rest position in a counter-clock-wise sense under action of a biasing spring (not shown). In its rest position the kicker arm 96 is out of the way of the bottom panel 23 of the succeeding box blank which thus passes over it freely.

During the folding of the inner end flaps into 4 box closing position, the lock flap 49 of the box moves within the reach of the folding rail 9| which folds the lock flap about its hinge line. 4| through an angle of 180 degrees into a position to overlie the box wall panel I3 (Figure 7).

While the inner end flaps 29 and 2I| are still engaged by a sweep 85, the inner bottom panel 23 moves past a pair of glue wheels 92 and 93 (Figure 13) which apply adhesive to both sides of the bottom panel 23. The bottom panel 23 then moves within the reach of a stationary plow 94 (Figure 14) which folds the bottom panel into upright position against the infolded bottom flaps. 29 and 2|. Immediately thereafter a rotary sweep or arm 95 driven by a sprocket wheel 96-.

engages the outer end panel 24 and folds it into;

bottom closing position as shown in Figures 15; and 16.

The folded bottom structure is then engaged by' a pressure belt 97 (Figure 23) which travels at the same rate as the conveyor 44 and maintains; gentle pressure on the outer bottom panel 24 for a time suificient to permit the adhesive to set.

The sealed bottom maintains the box squared when it is discharged at the end of the conveyor 44. As the conveyor chains 45 and 46 travel over the chain gears 41 and 59, the cages 53 open in a similar manner as illustrated in Figure 6 and the glued boxes drop out.

Turning now to mechanisms and operations for setting up the hinge cover, the cover panels and flaps of the blank leaving the magazine 69 are first engaged by a guide strip 98 which leads them underneath a rail 99 (Figure 5) of substantially L-shaped cross section whose horizontal portion I99 serves as a sword (Figure 18). The flaps 29, 2! and 39 protrude beyond the sword I99 and are folded over it by a series of folding members which include four rollers I9I=, I92, I93 and I94. The axis of thefirst roller I9I lies at an angle of substantially 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal, the axis of the second roller I92 is vertical, the axis of the third roller is inclined substantially 45 degrees with respect to the axis of the second roller, and the axis of the last roller I94 is horizontal. A further roller having a horizontal axis lies underneath the roller I94 to form a nip with roller I94 through which the folded cover assembly passes. Thislast mentioned roller is not visible in Figure 18 since a folded blank lies directly above it.

. The folded flap and panel assembly of the box blank then moves within the reach of a bar I95 diverging slightly with respect to the path of the conveyor 44. The bar I95 unfolds the panels and flaps leaving the nip of the rollers and nearits were the result that the flaps 33. and 34. tend to rise due to the previous folding of the stock. Momenftarily, however, the flaps 33' and" 34' are prevented from doing so-by a downwardly extending hold-down bar we which guides the flaps underneath an upper pressure roller IIIT of a glue applicator whose lower portion comprises spaced cylindrical surfaces of? a spot glue wheel I08 shownin Figure 23. The wheel I08 is so timed with respect to. the conveyor 44' that: its two spaced cylindrical surfaces apply adhesive to the two glue flaps 33' and; but not to the main cover. panel 25.

As'so'on as the flaps 33 and" 34 emerge" from underneath" the pressure roller IG'I they rise up thuspreventingthe adhesive on the flaps from soiling the horizontal plate I09 over which they move. I

The hinge cover portion of the" blank is now ready-fonfolding'into hollow form. The cover shaping mechanism comprises a second conveyor H composed of, endless chains HI and. H2 trained over gears H3, IM'and H, H6, respectively (Figure 23).

Gover shaping forms-are mounted on thechains I I I and H2, Phase forms comprise abase-memher I I1 adapted to receive the main panel 25- of the cover and upright side members II 8 and I IQ for properly guiding the side panels 29 and 35 of thecover into upright position with respect to-the cover main'panel. The base member H'I preferably consists of two articulated parts I29 I and I2! secured'to special links I22-ofthe chains H l and H2 having upward extensions I23 (Figure 22). This mounting causes the-two portions I and I2I of the base II3 to lie flat whenthe chains I l and I I2 travel along a straight path, in which event the side-members I I4 and H5 are parallel. When the chains curve around the gears I I3, H4; H5 and H6 the base portions I29 and" I 2!: lie at anangle and-the-side members I I8 and Isl 9 'tilt outwardly.-

The cover shaping forms on the conveyor chains HI and H2: are-spaced equal distances as thecages 53 on the conveyor chains 45- and 46', and the several'chains are sodimenSiOned and timed that the cover shaping: elements are accurately aligned with the boxlbody shaping elements-whenthe conveyors. run along the straight line-horizontalpathextending-over the top portionlof the machine;

The four conveyor chains 45; 46, II I-and'f H2 are accurately'leveled Icy-tracks orrails I24; I25;- I26iiand I2.'I,over which they run (Figure 22) The box body and box cover shaping elements are steadied. on the chains .by downwardly extending arms I28 and: I29. bearing rollers I3B and I3'I which engage. rails I32 and. I 33.

They cover shapingdevice comprises furthera movablefront member I-34Radapted toengage the front panel Z'I' of the cover assembly. The front member I34 iswessentially apost, I35sprovided at its upper; end with a projection I3filand slidable withlits' lower end in a slot'liiliin the base plate I20. A horizontal pin I33 extends throughthe lower end of'the post lt i and is slidable in the base plate I 23 from whichit projects withone end at I33.

The projecting end I39-of the pin I38isengageable by a flati cam I 49 mounted on the ma chine-base 23. As thecover shaping assembly rides past the cam I40 the pin I38"strikes the sloping: cam surface and moves/the post I35' inweirdly:-against the actionof a restoring spring I'M inra directionto erect the cover frontipanel 21,, as will presently; appear. l v "The cover shaping device includes further a pressure padI IZ of resilient material, for example sponge rubber, mounted on a pad base M3 on the end ofan' arm M2. The arm IMis pivo't- .7 I I ally mounted at I45 in the side member H8 and is biased toward a raised position by a torsion sprin I46. An extension I II'on thea'rm I44 provides a stop with which the arm rests againstthe base I2 Efin elevated position. I

The pad hase I43 has two lugs MT and I48ibe= tween'whic'h a roller M9" is mounted. A leadingpl'ow I58 onthe machine base 43engages the roll er I49 and'causes the arm to swingdown until the pressure pad I42. comes to rest against'the base member III or a blank on'the base'member. The pressure pad is maintained in this position by a horizontalrail I5I yieldingly mounted with respect to-the machine base 43 at I52. A trailing plow I 53similar to the plow I 56, but mounte'djat the end of'the rail. I5I permits the pressure pad I42 to return to its elevated position prior to discharge ofthe glued blank from the cover snap ingdevice.

The folding of the cover flaps and panels into final form proceeds as follows: I

Ihe blank whose body portion was squared'and whose cover glue flaps are coated with adhesive is moved by the main conveyor 44 towards the point where the second conveyor I II] joins it. the chains III and 2' move around'the end gears IHI and'i'IG (Figure 23) the cover shaping assemblies swing into a position alongside of, and in line with, the box body shaping cages. 53. In doing so, a cover shaping assembly rises up underneath each of the cover portions of the blankstraveling through the machine and pushes up the cover flap and panel assembly above it; Immediately thereafter, the cover shaping assembly-moves-within the reach of a horizontally pivotedsprocket wheel ,I5'4w-hose vertical sprockets I55 engage the blankand force its main cover panel downwardlybetween the sidegmembers H8 and I I9; This causes the cover side panels 29 and 30 to assume a substantially vertical position Since, due; to theiinitial folding of the cover flaps and panelsby the roller I04, the glue fiapsi33 and: 34' assumed a slanted position. with respect totthe cover side. panels 29 and 30; the glue co'v eredsurfaces of theflaps clear the side-members IIS and H9 and move over the main panel 25. At this-moment the projecting portion I39 -of the pin I38- strikes the flat cam ll lll -and the'postlfl moves towards thecover front panel and-erects it:- The'projection I36 on the'post holds .down the cover frontpanel to prevent the main-cover panel from-rising;

As the-conveyor advances, the-roller I49-on' the pressure padbase I43*moves against thel'eading plow and causes thepressure pad I42 to'swin'g' downand pressthe glue flaps 33' and 34'into'ad' hesiveengagem'ent with the main cover panel'25. Thepressure' is maintained for a time sufficient topermit the adhesiveto set whereafter the'roll'; er moves-onto the trailing'plow I53 and the pres sure pad assembly returns to. itsuprightfposi' ion;

At this time" the" squared and glued boxh'as reachedthe=endofthe machine. The fourconveyor chains 45, 46,? II I 'and"i.I'2now"curve around the gears-4i; 50"; I I3 and I I5 and cause the'articue latedbox body'andboxfcover: shapingassemhlies' to open up'and thefinislied boxestddrop'ou i I Q's-20 ,146

A suitable prime mover, shown as a motor I58,

drives a reduction gear I59. The main drive shaft I66 of the machine carries a chain gear I6I driven from the pulley I62 of the reduction gear through a drive chain I63.

The drive shaft I69 carries the chain gears 41 and 59 of the conveyor 44 and also a bevel gear I64 meshing with a further bevel gear I65 on a shaft I66. The shaft I66 carries a belt pulley I61 around which the pressure-belt 91 is trained. There are further belt pulleys I68 and I69 stationary with respectto the machine base and a movable belt pulley I mounted on a frame In pivoted at I12. The frame IN is under the section of a spring I13 tending to keep the belt 91 under tension.

The chain gears 48 and SI around which the conveyor chains 45 and 46 are trained are fixed on a shaft I14. chain gear I driving a gear I16 through a drive chain I11. The gear I16 is fixed on a feeder drive shaft H8 carrying the gears 15 and 18 of the feed conveyor.

The chain gears 49 and 52 of the conveyor chains 45 and 46 are fixed on a shaft I19. The gears 13 and 16 of the feed conveyor are loosely mounted on the shafts I19 to rotate freely there on. A pulley I 80 is fixedly mounted on the shaft I19 and drives a chain gear I8I through a chain I82. The gear I 8| is fixed on a shaft I83 driving a further shaft I64 through gears I85 and I86 and a drive chain I81. The shaft I84 carries a pair of chain gears I88 and I89.

The gear I68 drives a chain I96 trained over a further gear I9I and a tension pulley I92. The chain I99 engages the sprocket wheel 96 of the rotary sweep 95 and drives it. The rotary sweep thus moves at a predetermined ratewith respect to the rate of advance to the conveyors 94 and I I6.

The chain gear I9I is coupled with a spur gear I98 meshing with a further spur gear I99 on a shaft 260 which carries the sprocket wheel I 54. The sprocket Wheel thus revolves at a predetermined rate with respect to the rate of advance of the conveyor II 0.

The gear I89 drives a chain I 93 trained around a further gear I94 and a tension pulley I95. A spur gear I96 turns with the chain gear I94 and meshes with a second spur gear I91 driving the lue wheel 93.

The invention thus provides an improved form of machine for squaring collapsed fiat box blanks and forming and gluing a box cover integral with the box body. The squaring operation as well as the folding and gluing operations of the box body and the box cover are all controlled by the advance of the conveyor which moves the blanks through the machine resulting in great accuracy of performance.

What is claimed is: a

l. A machine for setting up into box shape the cover portion of a fiat box blank comprising a box body portion and a hinged cover portion including a main cover panel hinged to the body portion, a cover front panel, cover side panels, and glue flaps for securing said side panels to said main panel, the machine comprising, a first conveyor; lugs on said first conveyor for engaging a box blank at its body portion; a second conveyor side by side with said first conveyor; means for moving said first and said second conveyor in timed relationship; a cover shaping form on said second conveyor, said form com- Shaft I14 carries a further prising a base member adapted to receive the main panel, and side members upright with respect to the base member for guiding the side panels into set up position; means for urging said front panel between said side members, thereby causing the side panels to assume an angular position with respect to the front panel; and means on said second conveyor for engaging said glue flaps to urge said fiaps towards the base member into surface-to-surface engagement with the main panel.

2. A machine for setting up into box shape the cover portion of a fiat box blank comprising a box body portion and a hinged cover portion including a main cover panel hinged to the body portion, a cover front panel, cover side panels, and glue flaps for securing said side panels to said main panel, the machine comprising, a base;

an endless first conveyor mounted on said base; lugs on said first conveyor for engaging a box blank at its body portion; a second endless conveyor mounted on said base side by side with said first conveyor; means for moving said first respect to said front panel; means for folding.

said front panel into set up position with respect to said main panel; and means on said second conveyor for engaging said glue flaps to urge said flaps towards the base member into surfaceto-surface engagement with the main panel.

3. A machine for settink up into box shape the cover portion of a fiat box blank comprising a box body portion and a hinged cover portion including a main cover panel hinged to the body portion, a cover front panel, cover side panels,

and glue flaps for securing said side panels to said main panel, the machine comprising, a base; an' endless first conveyor mounted on said base; lugs on said first conveyor forming a plurality of com partments between them adapted to convey box blanks by their body portions; a second endless conveyor mounted on said base side by side with said first conveyor, said second conveyor being shorter than the first conveyor but terminating evenly with said first conveyor; means for moving said first and said second conveyor at an equal linear rate of movement; a plurality of cover shaping forms on said second conveyor spaced evenly with the said compartments on the first conveyor and aligned therewith within a portion of the paths of said conveyors. said forms comprising a base member adapted to receive the main cover panel, and side members upright with respect to the base member for guiding the side panels; a sprocket Wheel on said base driven in timed relationship with respect to said second conveyor for urging said front panel between said side members, thereby causing the side panels to.

assume an angular position with respect to said front panel; means on said second conveyor for folding said front panel into set up position with respect to said main panel; and means on said second conveyor for engaging said glue flaps to urge flaps towards the base member into surfaceto-surface engagement with the main panel.

4. A machine for setting up into box shape the cover portion of a flat box blank comprising a box body portion and a hinged cover portion including a main cover panel hinged to the body portion, a cover front paneL cover side panels, and glue flaps for securing said side panels to said main panel, the machine comprising, a base; an endless first conveyor mounted on said base; lugs on said first conveyor forming a plurality of coinpartr'ne'nts between them adapted to convey box blanks by their body portions; a second endless conveyor mounted on said base side by side with said first conveyor, said second conveyor being shorter than the first conveyor but terminating evenly with said firstco'nveyor; means for moving' said first and said second conveyor at an equal linear rate of movement; a plurality of cover shaping forms on said second conveyor spaced evenly with the said compartments on the first conveyor and aligned therewith within a portion of the paths of said conveyors, said forms com rising a base member adapted to receive the main cover panel, side members upright with respect to the base member for guiding the side wheel on said base driven in timed relationship with respect to said second conveyor for urging said front panel between said side members, thereby causing the side panels to assume an angular position with respect to said front panel; and cam surfaces on said base for actuating said movable front member and said pressure pad at predetermined positions along the path of the second conveyor.

5. A machine for setting up into box shape the cover portion of a fiat box blank comprising a box body portion and a hinged cover portion including a main cover panel hinged to the body portion, a cover front panel, cover side panels, and glue flaps for securing said side panels to said main panel, the machine comprising, a base; an endless first conveyor mounted on said base; lugs on said first conveyor forming a plurality of compartments between them adapted to convey box blanks by their body portions; a second end: less conveyor mounted on said base side by side with said first conveyor, said second conveyor being shorter than the first conveyor but terminating evenly with said first conveyor; means for 'moving said first and said second conveyor at an equal linear rate of movement; a plurality of cover shaping forms on said second conveyor spaced evenly with the said compartments on the first conveyor and aligned therewith within a portion of the paths of said conveyors, said forms comprising a base member adapted to receive the main cover panel, a fixed side member upright with respect to the base member, a movable side member mounted on said second conveyor for tilting with respect to the base member out of its upright position when the conveyor moves along a curved path, a movable front member adapted to engage said front panel for folding the front panel into set up position, and a movable pressure pad on said form for urging said-flaps -to-' Wards the base member into surface-to-sur'face engagement with the main panel; a sprocket wheel on said base driven in timed relationship with respect to said second conveyor for urging said front panel between said side members, thereby causing the side panels to assume an angular position with respect to said front panel; and two cam surfaces on said base for successively engaging and releasing first said movable front member and then the pressure pad.

6. A machine for setting up into box shape the cover portion of a flat box blank comprising abox body portion and a hinged cover portion including a main cover panel hinged to the body portion, a cover front panel, cover side panels, and glue 'fiaps for securing said side panels to said main panel, the machine comprising, a base two parallel tracks on said base; a pair of endless conveyor chains mounted on said base and extending over said tracks to run side by side and parallel with each other for the length of the tracks; means for driving said two conveyor chains at equal linear speed; compartment on said first conveyor adapted to engage blanks by their body portions; an arm on each of said compartments engaging one of said tracks to steady the compartment with respect to the track; a

plurality of cover shaping forms on said second:

conveyor chain spaced evenly with the said compartments and aligned therewith within the length of said tracks, each of said forms comprising a base member adapted to receive the main cover panel, side members upright with respect to the base member for guiding the side panels, a movable front member adapted to engage said front panel for folding the front panelinto set up position, an arm on said base member engaging the other of said tracks to steady the base member on said other track, and a movable pressurepad on said form for engaging said glue flaps to urge said flaps towards the base member into surface-to-surface engagement with the main panel; a sprocket wheel on said base driven in timed relationship with respect to said second conveyor for urging the front panel of a blank between said side members, thereby causing the side panels to assume an angular position with respect to said front panels; means biasing said movable front member towards a disengaged position with respect to said front panel; means biasing said pressure pad towards a disengaged position with respect to said base member; a first cam on said base alongside said second conveyor for moving said front member towards said front panel; and a second cam on said base alongside said second conveyor for moving said pressure pad towards said base member.

ROLLIN W. ME'ITLER.

car enters siren The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 7 2,441,445 Rin'gler et a1. May 11, i948 2,448,198 Terrent Aug. 31, 1948 

